07/10/2026
A Chair Full of Dreams: Visually Impaired Boy Becomes BDA Chairman for a Day
Bengaluru: Government offices are often perceived as spaces dedicated to files, official meetings and public grievances. But the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) office today witnessed a rare and deeply touching moment when 65 visually impaired children from Jyothi Seva School for the Blind were invited as special guests.
The visit, aimed at encouraging the children to dream big and become confident members of society, turned into an unforgettable experience for everyone present.
One of the most moving moments came when BDA Chairman N.A. Haris personally invited Rahul, a visually impaired student, to sit in his official chair and symbolically take on the role of “BDA Chairman for a Day.” As Rahul took his place in the Chairman’s chair, his innocent smile and visible excitement brought a wave of joy across the hall.
Addressing the children, Chairman Haris shared words of encouragement, saying, “Do not lose heart. You are equal to everyone else in this society. We are with you, and the government is with you. Study with determination and rise to the highest positions.”
Speaking on the occasion, BDA Commissioner Major P. Manivannan said, “The primary objective of this visit is to nurture self-confidence and inspire these children to dream without limits. We want them to see for themselves that they, too, can aspire to occupy the highest positions in society. Beyond this visit, the BDA will extend its full support towards their education and bright future in the days ahead.”
For the children, the visit offered a new perspective on what they could aspire to achieve.
“We had never visited a government office before, and we did not know how the administration worked. But today, we have gained the confidence that we, too, can become senior officials and serve society,” the children said, their excitement touching everyone present.
BDA officials spent time interacting with the children, listening to them and encouraging them with warmth and affection. For a while, the usually formal atmosphere of the BDA office gave way to an atmosphere of equality, hope and possibility.
Though they may not see the world through their eyes, the children demonstrated something far more powerful — the vision to dream, the confidence to aspire and the determination to reach the highest heights in life.
And for Rahul, sitting in the BDA Chairman’s chair today was more than a symbolic gesture. It was a powerful reminder that no dream should ever be limited by the absence of sight.
N.A Haris
